Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Emphasises Team Wins Over Personal Records After Thunder's Victory Against Pacers

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emphasised that the Oklahoma City Thunder are not focused on records after their 132-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The NBA's top scorer, Gilgeous-Alexander, contributed 33 points by making 10 of 23 field goals and hitting 10 of 12 free throws. This win marked their 62nd of the season and extended their winning streak to nine games.

With this victory, the Thunder have established a three-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East, aiming for home-court advantage throughout the play-offs. They also matched the 2017 Golden State Warriors for double-digit wins. However, Gilgeous-Alexander stated that their focus is solely on winning games rather than setting records.

"We don't care one bit about any of those records," he said. "They mean something but in the grand scheme of things (they) don't, we care about one thing and one thing only and that's to win, that's the ultimate goal." He stressed that improving daily is their main concern, not chasing records.

The Thunder's head coach, Mark Daigneault, has played a crucial role in fostering a strong team bond. Gilgeous-Alexander praised Daigneault's leadership style, noting his humility and focus on competition. "Coach hates credit, he hates anything besides like competition," he added.

This approach has set a positive tone for the team. Gilgeous-Alexander highlighted how Daigneault's down-to-earth nature and tactical skills have helped create a close-knit group. "You ask how are we so close, so connected," he said, attributing it to Daigneault's leadership qualities.

Gilgeous-Alexander further explained that Daigneault empowers each player individually. He described him as someone who is not afraid to improve or face challenging situations. This empowerment has been instrumental in building team chemistry and success.

The Thunder continue to focus on their ultimate goal: winning games and improving as a team. Their current success reflects this dedication to growth rather than record-setting achievements.